We Help Make Facial Trauma Less Traumatic!

Nowhere are the surgical training, experience and skill of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon more important then when treating facial trauma. Whether caused by a car crash, accidental fall, sports injury, work-related accident or an act of violence - injuries to the face impart a high degree of emotional, as well as physical trauma to patients. The science and art of treating these injuries requires specialized training involving "hands on" experience and an understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient's long term health and appearance.

Drs. Sudbrink and Vakkas are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation procedures. In addition, Dr. Sudbrink is on staff at local hospitals and delivers emergency room coverage for facial injuries, which include the following conditions:

• Soft Tissue Injuries - Facial lacerations to the skin and any kind of intra oral (gum) lacerations.
• Avulsed (knocked out) Teeth - Injuries to the teeth are very common and can often be reinserted when treated immediately.
• Bone Injuries - Includes fractured cheekbones, jaws, noses, palates and eye sockets.
• Special Regions - Injuries affecting the nerves in the face, eyes or the salivary glands.

Soft Tissue Injuries

When soft tissue injuries such as lacerations occur on the face, they typically require suturing. Even with a minor cut, the expertise of an oral surgeon is indispensable. When sutures are needed, placement must be precise to achieve the desired cosmetic result and special care is taken to inspect for and treat injuries to structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands and salivary ducts.

Injuries to the Teeth

When a tooth has been knocked cleanly out of the mouth, there is a chance we can reinsert it if you act quickly. These types of injuries are treated using a splint made by wiring or bonding teeth together. Other dental specialists may be called upon such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and/or restorative dentists who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are your best choice to restore both functionality and aesthetic appearance.

What to do if your tooth is knocked out!

• Touch the tooth as little as possible and only by the crown (the part you chew with). Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, since remnants of the ligaments that hold the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to the success of reinserting the tooth.
• Try to place the tooth back into the socket, bite down on gauze or a tea bag to hold it in place.
• If you can't place the tooth back in the socket, place it in a container with milk or salt water.
• Call our office immediately, time is of the essence to ensure successful reinsertion.

Bone Injuries

Fractured facial bones are treated in a manner similar to the fractures in other parts of the body - only instead of using a cast to stabilize the bones, we us special wiring (intermaxillary fixation) or small plates and screws (rigid fixation), depending on the location and severity of the injury.

Traditional treatment for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw involves wiring the jaws together. Depending on the severity, the jaws will need to remain "wired shut" for 2 to 8 weeks for proper healing. In most cases, bars are placed on the upper and lower teeth, and wires between them secure the teeth together. In some cases, fixation can be accomplished in a much less restrictive manner with the use of elastic bands. Patients undergoing intermaxillary fixation have to stick to a liquid diet while their jaws are bound.

A newer treatment, called rigid fixation, involves attaching small plates and screws directly onto the fractured sections of the jaw bone; it does not require wiring the jaws shut. This technique can significantly reduce the recovery period for many patients, allowing them to return to normal activities much sooner. However, the surgical procedure is much more invasive and may not be suitable for all patients.

If you have questions or concerns about facial trauma treatment, please call our office. We're happy to help in any way we can.